Parholaspididae
Evans, 1956
Parholaspididae is a of free-living predatory mites in the order Mesostigmata, containing 14 and approximately 163 described . Members are distributed worldwide and occupy diverse terrestrial microhabitats. The family was established by Evans in 1956 and is classified within the superfamily Eviphidoidea.

Pronunciation
How to pronounce Parholaspididae: //ˌpɑr.hoʊˈlæ.spɪ.dɪˌdiː//
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Identification
Parholaspididae can be distinguished from related in the Eviphidoidea by characters of the gnathosoma and podonotal shield structure; a detailed is provided in taxonomic revisions. A key to the 14 is available in the family review by Evans (1956) and subsequent revisions.
Images
Habitat
Soil-dwelling mites found in leaf litter, decaying logs, moss, caves, and mammal nests. Some are early colonizers of disturbed .
Distribution
; reported from all major biogeographic regions.
Life Cycle
. In at least one (Holaspulus tenuipes), involves distinct pre-ovipositional and ovipositional , with enclosed in a and undergoing a defined before hatching.
Behavior
Pre-ovipositional and ovipositional have been characterized in Holaspulus tenuipes, including specific postures and substrate interactions prior to deposition.
Similar Taxa
- EviphididaeAlso in superfamily Eviphidoidea; distinguished by differences in gnathosomal and shield .
- LaelapidaeAnother large of Gamasina; Parholaspididae lack the highly modified gnathosoma and specific cheliceral structures typical of many laelapids.
More Details
Taxonomic scope
The comprises 14 and 163 described as of recent revision (Zootaxa 5005). depositions and detailed records are documented for all species in the family review.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Review of the mite family Parholaspididae Evans, 1956 (Acari: Mesostigmata)
- Pre-ovipositional and ovipositional behaviour ofHolaspulus tenuipes(Berlese) (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata: Parholaspididae) with notes on egg chorion, incubation, and hatching